Thunderstorms hit Douglas County on Feb. 27

The first severe thunderstorm of the season brought strong winds, heavy rain and some small hail to Lawrence, and there was still snow on the ground. The rains caused street flooding in parts of Lawrence and even forced emergency managers to rescue stranded motorists at the intersection of 23rd and Ousdahl streets. Enlarge video

9 p.m.

The severe thunderstorm watch for Douglas and surrounding counties has been allowed to expire.

Rain and snow are expected to continue throughout the night, but with little or no snow accumulation.

8:13 p.m.

The National Weather Service has canceled the severe thunderstorm watch for the following counties:

Jefferson

Morris

Shawnee

Wabaunsee

The warning is still in effect until 9 p.m. for:

Anderson

Coffey

Douglas

Franklin

Lyon

Osage

6:02 p.m. update

The flash flood warning for Douglas County was allowed to expire at 6 p.m.

A severe thunderstorm watch remains in effect until 9 p.m. for the following counties:

Anderson

Coffey

Douglas

Franklin

Jefferson

Lyon

Morris

Osage

Shawnee

Wabaunsee

4:49 p.m.

Douglas County Emergency Management reports flooding on 23rd and 6th streets, as well as in downtown Lawrence. Flash flood warning still in effect until 6 p.m.

4:25 p.m.

Victims rescued from vehicles, 23rd and Ousdahl reopened, according to Douglas County dispatch.

4:07 p.m.

Douglas County is now under a flash flood warning until 6 p.m. Emergency crews are rescuing drivers near 23rd and Ousdahl.

Storms are starting to form in the Emporia area and are moving east, northeast. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect for Osage County, but has since been canceled.

A new severe thunderstorm warning was issued for Anderson, Osage, Coffee and Franklin counties at 3:07 p.m. That storm was said to be producing large hail — quarter-size — and damaging winds in excess of 60 mph.

With this severe storm system, large hail is the greatest risk for our area, though a tornado watch has been issued for areas of southern Kansas.

The National Weather Service has issued a severe thunderstorm watch for Douglas and surrounding counties until 9 p.m. tonight.

The forecast from the NWS for Douglas County is as follows:

• This Afternoon: Rain and thunderstorms likely. Some of the storms could be severe. Areas of dense fog before 3pm. Otherwise, cloudy, with a high near 48. East wind around 5 mph becoming north. Chance of precipitation is 70%.

• Tonight: Rain before 3am, then rain and snow likely. Some thunder is also possible. Low around 28. Blustery, with a north wind between 10 and 20 mph, with gusts as high as 30 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New snow accumulation of less than a half inch possible.

Noon update

The National Weather Service again extends the dense fog advisory for most of the area, this time until 4 p.m. today.

9:30 a.m. update

The National Weather Service has extended the dense fog advisory for Douglas and surrounding counties until noon today.

The NWS is also forecasting thunderstorms during the day and into the evening, with rain changing to snow overnight. However, snow accumulation is expected to be less than a half inch.

Our climate just made a short-range change. Wind swung fromm NNE to NW here in Baldwin with the lead gust to 31 mph. Now for de snow to come, what there is of it.
Looks like that storm might've shot the gap between Indy and Coffeeville.

Yesterday was an interesting weather day from dense fog to the thunderstorms with snow on the ground! Honestly, I'm glad that the snow forecast on the back end of the storm was a bust. After a month and a half of what seemed like large snow after large snow, I'm ready for Spring.